David Humphreys (soldier)
David Humphreys was an American Revolutionary War colonel and aide de camp to George Washington, a secretary and intelligence agent for Benjamin Franklin in Paris, American minister to Portugal and then to Spain, entrepreneur who brought Merino sheep to America, and member of the Connecticut state legislature. He also was a prolific poet and author and a member of the Hartford Wits. As secretary and speechwriter to George Washington during his administration, Humphreys was the nation's first U.S. presidential speechwriter.
Humphreys depicted in a portrait by Gilbert Stuart, circa 1808 to 1810
Humphreys standing immediately behind George Washington in General George Washington Resigning His Commission, an 1824 John Trumbull portrait now housed in the United States Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C.
The David Humphreys home, built in 1698, is now maintained by the Derby Historical Society. It is located at 37 Elm Street, Ansonia, CT.
Signpost for the David Humphreys home at 37 Elm St., Ansonia, CT.
Washington's aides-de-camp
Washington's aides-de-camp during the American Revolutionary War were officers of the Continental Army appointed to serve on General George Washington's headquarters staff, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. The headquarters staff also included one military secretary, a full colonel.
The American Soldier – 1775, an aide-de-camp of General George Washington and General Artemas Ward at the Siege of Boston
